Bathroom Ideas Redo the Bathroom on the Cheap

A complete bathroom remodel is typically an expensive project to take on, but there are ways you can redecorate a bathroom and make it look as if you’ve just remodeled. In terms of redecorating, the bathroom is one of the easier rooms in the house to give a whole new look to. Adding new wall colors and accessories changes the décor of the room and if you choose wisely, you will have your guests thinking you replaced the entire bathroom. If you are handy around the house, you can expand your project to replacing the fixtures also. If you are more of the creative type, you can work around some of the things you already have and make your bathroom beautiful. Any room that you decorate has to be a reflection of your style and personality – the bathroom is no exception. Have a little fun, get creative and redecorate your bathroom.

The Fixtures – Tub, Toilet and Sink

With lots of plumbing skills and a little money you can replace the fixtures, although this is not necessary.

Hit up some yard sales, flea markets and stores that sell reclaimed fixtures and other old items that are still in good condition.

If you aren’t shy – cruise some nicer neighborhoods on garbage day – you know the saying one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Truer words were never spoken. With a good amount chlorine bleach and elbow grease, the fixtures will be clean and germ free as new.

Ok so maybe you don’t have the skills or time necessary to replace the fixtures – paint them!

Painting Existing Fixtures

Refinish one or all of your fixtures.

Shut off the water supply to the bathroom at the main shut off valve. Flush the toilet to remove the water.

Sand the shiny glaze off the bathtub, sink and toilet with 100-grit sandpaper. Don’t sand the toilet seat because they are usually made of plastic.

Vacuum up all of the dust or wipe them down with a tack rag.

Wash the fixtures thoroughly with a grease fighting detergent, rinse well and dry completely.

Dip a lint free rag into an epoxy based bonding agent and spread it over the surface of the bathtub, toilet and sink. Let the bonding agent dry for five to ten minutes.

Dip a foam roller into an epoxy based paint primer and roll the primer onto the tub, sink or toilet making overlapping lines up and down the surface. Let the primer dry for one to two hours.

Dip the foam roller back into the primer and paint on a second coat, this time roll the primer side to side intersecting the first coat. Let the primer dry for one to two hours.

Apply the first coat of epoxy paint just as you applied the first coat of primer. Let the paint dry for two to three hours.

Roll on a second coat of paint moving the roller across the lines of the first coat. Let it dry for three to four hours. If the paint looks streaky or not solid enough apply a third coat and let it dry.

Roll on two to three coats of clear epoxy sealant over the dry paint, letting each coat dry for three to four hours in between coats.